Yearning For Pastures Greener

Hello maestros!

Here's a piece I've been working on for the last couple of weeks.

It's for vibraphone, clarinet, violin, flute, bass flute and synth. 
I included a strange little dissonant passage in the middle, as a contrasting section.
Possibly this should be longer (or have a slower tempo)?

Far as I know my melody lines are original: so I do hope I haven't unconsciously copied something by another composer.

I tried to use unexpected harmonies in the synth. Not sure I've been successful there?

The melodies are supposed to represent striving or yearning: hence the title.

(Newer versions will be posted lower down the thread.)

Edited June 15, 20232 yr by Alex Weidmann

Hi Alex,

The combination of the instruments is very soothing and relaxing to listen to. I love the 1st part very much; it's simple and immersed with calming atmosphere, as I particularly like the vibraphone and clarinet melody here with the synthesizer background.

For the second section it's more dissonant and have a more complex texture in the beginning. I'm not going to lie, it reminds me the opening of Bach's Mass in B minor. 

That chord change in 3:11 is very nice (a E-F#-G#-B-C#? very nice), and the chord changes are interesting. Combined with the synthesizer sound it's like colored lights changing their colour in every few seconds. This section is particularly soothing. I find myself nearly sleeping comfortably. Maybe I'm yearning for a pasture to sleep on it!

This is very enjoyable. Thanks for sharing Alex!

Henry

11 hours ago, Henry Ng Tsz Kiu said:

I'm not going to lie, it reminds me the opening of Bach's Mass in B minor. 

I actually heard this Mass at a concert 6 months ago! Guess I must have subconsciously drawn on it, without realising.

I can't hear the similarity myself; but your ear is much better than mine!

Think I can get away with it though, because it's not similar enough to be all that obvious. 
 

I've attached a very early stage score to the original post now.
I made this with Notion for iPad, instead of MuseScore.
It's just a simple translation of the midi data, with no editing.

Many thanks once again for your review Henry, and all your hard work here.

Here's a slightly amended version. I've changed the tempo of the dissonant passage at 1'12", to create a greater sense of mystery.

Edited June 15, 20232 yr by Alex Weidmann

Made some further tweaks to the tempo in the dissonant section, and also near the end of the piece.